Jim Cate Collection to be sold by Showtime, Apr 20-22The Jim Cate Collection -- a lifetime accumulation of country store and advertising items -- will be just part of a huge auction planned for April 20-22 in Ann Arbor, Mich., by Showtime Auction Svcs.

News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - COUNTRY STORE AND ADVERTISING ITEMS FROM THE JIM CATE COLLECTION
TO BE SOLD BY SHOWTIME AUCTION SERVICES APRIL 20, 21 & 22 IN MICHIGAN

(Ann Arbor, Mich.) - A lifetime accumulation of country store and advertising items that comprised a museum inside The Penny Candy Store in downtown Coeur d'Alene, Id., will be sold the weekend of April 20-22 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich. The items are part of the living estate of Jim Cate, an avid collector and long-time resident of Coeur d'Alene.

“Mr. Cate built a collection that grew so large he incorporated it as a museum component inside his candy store,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services, which is conducting the sale. “The store was in an old bank building. Two of the back walls were roped off and set up like a country store, to showcase Mr. Cate's collections. The display had a very appealing, old-timey atmosphere.”

Mr. Eckles said he's secured additional quality consignments that will complement Mr. Cate's collections. “The things that Jim didn't collect much – like coin-op, trays, toys and banks – are what we sought out, from a variety of quality estates and other sources,” Eckles remarked. “Everything is high-end merchandise, and most of it is fresh-to-the-market. Collectors won't want to miss this one.”

Regina Showcase, circa 1910 – Only 13 were made. Of those, only seven are known to exist. And of those, only one or two were done in oak. So this truely is a very rare item that to the naked eye looks like an all-original curved china cabinet. But inside is a Regina music box that still plays. Comes with discs. Estimate $40,000 to $50,000.

Cigar Tip Cutter, circa 1890s – This unique trade stimulator (device meant to generate sales) is extremely rare: only three are known to exist. And like most similar units, this one didn't require a coin or token. The payoff for clipping one's cigar tip: the chance to get another cigar free.
Estimate $30,000 to $50,000.

Silver Cup trade stimulator, circa 1915 – Very rare, and in excellent condition. In its useful days, a customer would drop in a coin and give the device a spin. Two wheels would turn. The idea was to match up the corresponding numbers or icons. A winning match earned a prize or promotion. Estimate $20,000 to $30,000.

Wooden Cigar Store Indians (3) – Not one but three Cigar Store Indians, all three hand-crafted of wood in the late 1800s, will be sold. One, standing nearly 6' tall, is made by the renowned carver Samuel Robb. Another majestic at 7' tall, depicts a chief with full headdress (maker unknown). And yet another very rare tabletop figure that just may be the oldest one in existance.